The Kālā Pānī, or the Cellular Jail, the colonial prison in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is already a popular tourist spot in India. Now, the Aguada Jail in Goa is also on its way to become a tourist hotspot. The historic prison will be thrown open to the public by March 2021, after renovation. The jail will also have a museum that will lay bare the freedom struggle of Goa against the Portuguese rule. The revamping process will put special emphasis on two cells, where freedom fighters TB Cunha and Ram Manohar were jailed while fighting against the Portuguese.
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Aguada Jail In Goa To Open Up To Tourists By March
Fort Aguada at Sinquerim village, overlooking the vast Arabian Sea, is one of the prime tourist attractions in Goa. The historic Portuguese-era Aguada Jail at the 17th-century fort is undergoing renovation now and will open up to the public by March. Reportedly, around 90 percent of the project is already complete. According to a Hindustan Times report, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has said, “We will complete the project in March this year after which it would be an important tourist attraction.” Tourists will get to explore the interiors of the jail and will also come up to know about the liberation struggle of Goa against the Portuguese. Special emphasis will be given to the prisons of two freedom fighters, TB Cunha and Ram Manohar. Meanwhile, here are 6 most stunning churches in Goa you have to see to believe.
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A Glimpse Into The Struggles Of Post-Colonial Goa
The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) had taken up the charge of the renovation of the prison. The revamping has taken place under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme of the Central Government. The total cost of the project has been around ₹22 crores. The jail does not house any prisoners now. It was de-categorised as a jail in 2015. In around two months, it will start welcoming tourists to give a glimpse into the struggles of the post-colonial Goa. Meanwhile, here’s how Kamiya Jani explored Goa during the pandemic: